Colchester data center proposal draws resident pushback ahead of town hall meeting
A proposed data center project in Colchester, Connecticut, is drawing resident opposition ahead of a town hall meeting. The two-building plan would include a 20,000-square-foot data center using 5 megawatts of power, with residents and planning officials raising concerns about traffic, noise, water use, lighting, permitting, electricity costs and environmental impacts.
A developer is proposing a two-building data center project on land near Old West Road in Colchester, an area known for its trails and surrounding open space. One building would provide back-up space with 5 megawatts of power, while the other would be a 20,000-square-foot data center paired with another 5 megawatts. The proposal remains in its early stages and would require review by the Connecticut Siting Council before moving forward.
Residents are organizing around a town hall meeting to learn more about the project and express their concerns. At a recent Planning and Zoning Commission meeting, members questioned the developer about traffic, noise, water consumption, lighting and permitting. Residents also cited potential increases in electricity costs and environmental problems, although any construction is still expected to be years away.